Levaquin Linked To Tendon Ruptures

March 9, 2010

Levaquin (fluroquinolone) is used to kill common bacteria that cause lung infections, skin infections, and urinary tract infections. Recently, it has been linked to an increasing occurrance of tendon ruptures and damage. Tendon ruptures have occurred in the rotator cuffs, biceps, hands, and thumbs. The most common tendon rupture is the Achilles tendon rupture. This kind of tendon rupture consists of a total tear of the muscle connecting the calf muscle and the heel of the foot. An Achilles tendon rupture impairs one’s ability to walk and may require rehabilitation. Symptoms often include sudden and severe pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking. Patients who experience any of these symptoms should contact their doctor immediately to discontinue Levaquin treatment.

The FDA and Levaquin:

Hundreds of complaints linking tendon ruptures to Levaquin use have been filed with the FDA.

As a result, in August 2006, Public Citizen, a consumer advocacy group, petitioned the FDA to add a black box warning to Levaquin’s label meant to caution patients about the possibility of tendon rupture. On July 8, 2008 the FDA finally decided to place the black box warning on Levaquin to warn patients of the risk of serious tendon rupture or damage.

Tendon Rupture Litigation:

The manufacturer of Levaquin, Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary Ortho McNiel Pharmaceuticals Inc., are being sued by victims of Levaquin side effects.

A number of Levaquin lawsuits have been filed against Johnson & Johnson and their subsidiaries alleging that they failed to provide adequate warnings about the potential risk of tendon damage. The lawsuits claim that if users had been warned about the potential tendon side effects, they could have contacted their doctors at the first sign of problems and avoided a rupture or permanent damage.

In a status conference for Levaquin tendon rupture lawsuits, U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim, who is overseeing the Levaquin consolidation in Minnesota, indicated that the first multi district litigation cases are to be “trial ready” early in 2010.

If you have experienced a tendon rupture or tendon damage from taking Levaquin you may be entitled to compensation and should contact a lawyer for more information about the Levaquin lawsuits.